I had a scrumptious breakfast consisting of three large donuts outside a seven eleven then started the ride. I had the most climbing of the whole trip today and it started with a huge climb out of Monterey. Other than the final 10 miles into Cambria I don't think there was anything flat all day! This was also the first day which I was really struggling physically. Some days had been hard but up to today I had never really been pushed to my limits. I don't know if it was the cumulative effect of cycling day after day with little break or if it was because I had had quite a bit of time off the bike over the last few days and my body had shut down a little.

It was foggy again today but other than the last few hours the fog stopped at the top of the cliffs so the sea to my right was completely covered in fog for as far as I could see. This provided some spectacular views. I saw loads of seals on the beach just south of Cambria and some of the males were fighting each other. I rode the last 10 miles with a chap who had started in north Oregon and was also going to Mexico. It was nice to ride with someone else for a change and we shared a pizza for dinner.